The health and fitness industries are awash
with tips to look and feel better than ever. But one magic bullet that people
often overlook is the comfort of having a canine friend at home. Here are six
reasons to get a dog – either for the first time, or as a new addition to the
home.
Dogs alleviate loneliness
Studies show that loneliness can be one of
the biggest contributors to depression, and that depression has the ability to seriously
affect our health. This is an especially salient point during COVID-19; a
time at which people are brushing up against the reality of enforced solitude
and social distancing.
…But dogs also help you meet friends
As we come out of lockdown, a dog
can be great for your social life. A Huffington Post article on the topic
speculates that dog owners are more likely to make friends, since they speak
with fellow owners – and strangers – during walks. As we get older and our
social circle naturally shrinks, a dog is a great social lubricant.
Dogs get us into a routine
People in retirement are often guilty of
letting time slide through their fingers, and of failing to really live life.
No matter your age, a dog gives your day structure. It needs to be fed, cared
for and exercised. By providing for your canine friend, you give yourself a
modicum of structure too, and if you’re at retirement age, this is especially
important.
Dogs get us fit
A 30 minute walk a day can do wonders for
heart health, reducing visits to the doctor and weaning people off medication.
Exercise really is a godsend – and it’s totally free. Getting a dog will ramp
up the exercise you do and will ensure you stick to this regimen too.
Help us when we’re ill
Studies abound that suggest we’re more
likely to recover from serious illness if we have a canine friend to return
home to. Even survivors of something as serious as heart attacks are more
likely to get back on their feet, simply because they’ve got a dog at home that
they know they need to take care of. In short, dogs give our lives purpose, and
when we have purpose we’re stronger for it.
Keep us stress-free
Scientists have long speculated that dogs
are a form of therapy, in part because they zap away anxiety and actually
reduce blood pressure. The mechanism for this magic? Increasing levels of
serotonin and dopamine, which boost feelings of wellbeing.
What’s more – dogs can be very effective at keeping couples together when there’s tension. Having a third-party to focus your attention on lowers the intensity of the marital dispute; plus, dogs often perk up and do the funniest things just when the mood is at its lowest. In effect? They provide an ice breaker that neatly slices through the tension and keeps everything in perspective.
